Cursed Bonds

House Blackwood

Staring at the checkered marble floor, Nero Blackwood, head of the House of Blackwood, imagined himself playing a game of chess along the black and white marble tiles. Sitting on his throne, in the main chamber of his castle, he sipped his blood wine as he contemplated where he would move his next pawn.

Of course, to him, this was more than just a game of chess. The pieces on the board simply represented the various people and resources he had at his disposal. After deciding to send his pawn further into enemy territory, he took another long sip of his wine. Oh, how I enjoy the sweet taste of elven blood, far richer in flavor than lowly humans, certainly less earthy than a dwarf's, Nero thought to himself as he enjoyed the smooth sweet taste as it flowed through his lips. Now, where to put my bishop, returning his attention to his game. Perhaps I will send him to my pawns, after all, I've let them wander off the board for far too long, he pondered thinking of his brother.

After deciding it was a prudent strategy, he stood from his throne, casually glancing back at the family crest embroidered in the tapestry that hung over his head. The dark red tapestry hung just behind the throne, the house crest proudly displayed in the middle, a black oak, with its branches stretching to the corners of the tapestry was intricately embroidered in the middle.

Nero casually walked through the halls of the castle, embracing the chilly draft that flowed through various shutters along with the windows. His cloak softly billowed, as the breeze caressed his milky white skin. Dear brother is probably holed up in his study again. He thought to himself as he passed his brother's empty bedroom. Why must he insist on having that infernal room at the top of the tower? Nero asked himself as he began climbing the spiraling stone steps leading to the top of the castle's main tower.

Finally coming to the last step of the enormous tower's seemingly never endless staircase, Nero knocked on the door to his brother's study. After a few moments of waiting, he grew tired of waiting and opened the door. Inside, the room smelled of dusty old tomes, as well as a slight sulphuric smell in the air. Another one of his experiments, no doubt. Nero assumed as he stepped inside. He discovered his brother deeply engrossed in another one of the various tomes that filled the shelves throughout the room. His back to Nero, he didn't even cast a glance towards him, his black robes and hood hiding him in the shadowy corner of the room.

"Dear brother, I have something to ask of you," Nero stated as he began casually glancing at the various experiments on the dissection table.

"I can't," His brother promptly replied, never taking his eyes off the page he was currently reading.

"Come now, it is but a simple task," Nero answered back, now perusing the various books open on a table.

"I'm busy Nero, I haven't time for your games. Leave me to my work," his brother replied, turning the page.

" Ah yes, you're busy with your work, which I currently am paying for. Perhaps you should indulge me for a moment. As you always say, family is important is it not? Dear Alucard," Nero replied with a crooked grin, many that knew the man, often stated that the grin was a sign of trouble.

Alucard promptly placed the cloth bookmarker attached to the tome in-between the pages. After carefully closing the book he let out a sigh.

"What is it this time? Has Perseus gotten himself into trouble again? Perhaps bedded the wrong noble's wife? Or no, let me guess, you need me to make you a potion to allow you to walk through walls," Alucard grumbled as he turned to face Nero, who was currently staring into a cauldron, watching as the dark black liquid inside bubbled, though there was no fire lit underneath.

" I wouldn't stand too close if I were you, liquid death potion I've been brewing, a single whiff could have you paralyzed for hours," Alucard cautioned as Nero stood a little too close to the boiling potion.